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4 days on board the Indian Pacific Train

Traverse the continent on this epic train trip between Sydney and Perth, exploring Australia's Outback in style.

By Alissa Jenkins

What to expect

Get a glimpse into Broken Hill's rich art history

Sample some of South Australia's finest food and wine

Witness the otherworldly landscape of the Nullarbor Plain

Fast facts

Time: 4 days

Distance: 4352 kilometres (2704 miles)

Transport: Train

Nearest Major City: Sydney

Price: $$$$

Few train journeys are as epic as the Indian Pacific. From Sydney on Australia's east coast across the entire continent to Perth in the west, it passes through landscapes as varied as the spectacular Blue Mountains and the endless flat, otherworldly stretches of the Nullarbor Plain. Expect comfortable cabins, excellent food and fascinating day trips, which differ on the return route.

Day 1: Sydney to Outback New South Wales

Outback Explorer Lounge, Indian Pacific, Adelaide, South Australia

AfternoonBoard at Sydney's Central Station and settle into your cabin, where you'll spend the afternoon taking in the scenery as it transforms from skyscrapers and traffic lights to the forested valleys and sandstone cliffs of the stunning Blue Mountains. Your on-board radio includes an audio commentary option.

EveningAs the sun sets behind mountain ranges you will begin to enter the more arid regions of New South Wales, characterised by hardy mulga (a small native Australian tree) and vast plains. After dinner in the dining car, meet fellow guests in the Outback Explorer Lounge for a welcome drink.

Day 2: Broken Hill to Adelaide

Indian Pacific train

Morning
The day begins in Broken Hill, formerly a booming mining town, which has inspired an array of artists over the years with its distinctive desert landscape. On a one-hour walking tour, explore the city's iconic Living Desert Sculptures then visit the Pro Hart Gallery, where you'll learn all about one of Australia's most celebrated artists, whose works capture the spirit of the Outback.

Afternoon
After an on-board lunch the journey continues into the green and golden fields of South Australia's food bowl. You have a choice between two off-train excursions: spending the afternoon and evening in the vibrant city of Adelaide, or the picturesque Barossa wine region. Guests who choose Adelaide can expect a walking tour taking in some of the city's highlights, including the North Terrace precinct, the Rundle Street café scene, Lake Torrens, the Adelaide Oval Cricket Ground and the Adelaide Botanic Garden, before an indulgent dinner at the National Wine Centre. Alternatively, the Barossa excursion takes you to some of the region's world-class boutique wineries, where you can learn about the winemaking process and enjoy private tastings, before dinner at the popular Yalumba Signature Cellar. Afterwards, all guests rejoin the train in Adelaide to begin the journey across the Nullarbor Plain.

Day 3: Nullarbor Plain to Rawlinna

Off-track dinner, Rawlinna, Western Australia

Morning
You’ll be greeted at sunrise by the striking, raw beauty of the Nullarbor. Taking its name from the Latin for "no trees", this vast Outback plain has bewildered and inspired generations of Australians and visitors alike. A seemingly endless expanse of rusty earth and hardy Outback shrubs, the Nullarbor covers 200,000 square kilometres (77,000 square miles) of South Australia and Western Australia and is considered a "bucket list"' experience.

Afternoon
Having entered Western Australia, celebrate crossing Australia's most famous plain with a special dinner in the remote outpost of Rawlinna. Here Platinum and Gold Service guests are invited to disembark and partake in a traditional lamb roast dinner under the bright stars of the Outback sky. Surrounded by nothing but vast sheep stations (the nearest town, Kalgoorlie, is more than 400 kilometres, or 250 miles away), this is one alfresco dining experience to remember.

Day 4: Outback Western Australia to Perth

Indian Pacific, Adelaide, South Australia

Morning
The scenery transforms again as the Indian Pacific continues through the picturesque Avon Valley, a patchwork of rolling hills and winding streams. After passing fertile farmland and the occasional hot air balloon, the journey nears the end as Perth's outer city limits come into view.

Afternoon
After three days hurtling across the Australian continent from Sydney, the Indian Pacific route culminates at the East Perth Terminal, with transfers to your accommodation. To introduce you to this laid-back, beach-loving city, there is the option to extend your experience with a guided excursion around Perth's greatest attractions, from Subiaco's trendy boutiques to the WACA Cricket Ground, Parliament House and Barracks Arch.

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